Michael O’Leary, the airline’s chief executive, is talking to a Chinese aircraft manufacturer about a bespoke jet that would allow passengers to be herded on and off Ryanair flights in double-quick time.

The scheme is the latest in a long line of money-saving initiatives dreamt up by Mr O’Leary, including standing-room-only tickets and removing lavatories bar one to increase the number of seats.

Ryanair revealed yesterday it was in talks with the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China over a prototype with wider doors.

“The Chinese are willing to listen to what we want,” said Ryanair’s chief financial officer, Howard Millar. “A plane manufactured by Boeing or Airbus is a one-size-fits-all. We want two people to walk through the door.”

Ryanair has admitted it will have to suppress its desire to crank up fares this year as the eurozone crisis and higher fuel costs put pressure on profits.